Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 54, Laban Goffigan, Va. Sea Service

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va. Sea Service
Goffigan, Laban
W. 54
Va Half Pay.
CONTENTS
See Acc. No. 837- Virginia State Navy Laban Goffaghan or Goffigan, Y S File Va. Half Pay

JW Murdaugh, for Thomas Henry Goffigan and Mrs Price heirs of Laban Goffigan, respectfully represents, that Laban Goffigan was a Captain in the State Navy - he was appointed Lieutenant the 18 th of June 1776 and was taken prisoner during the war - and when released he got over to France, and in 1781 a sum of money was advanced by Doct Lee, the US Agent, to Capt. Goffigan to bear his expenses home - He returned to the U.S. sometime in 1781 after the reduction of the Navy (which took place the 15 th March 1781) and may be considered as having served from June 18. 1776 to the end of the war - JW Murdaugh refers the Governor to the accompanying testimony.
Tuesday June 18 th 1776.
Mr. Laban Goffaghan is appointed 1 st Mate of Capt Westcott's Cruiser Potomack.
The above entry is truly copied from the Journal of the Committee of Safety - page 133.
Thursday 2 nd January 1777.
Present,
Mr Whiting, Mr. Travis & Mr. Archer, Lieutenant Laban Goffaghan, at present the commanding officer on board the Sloop Scorpion received orders to proceed with his vessel to Fredericksburg and apply to Mr. James Hunter jr of Fredericksburg for a quantity of goods belonging to the public, which he is to take on Board and bring to Queen's Creek, and wait on the

Board for further instructions. And it is also ordered That he land what Wood and Water he may have at present on Board his Vessel, more than sufficient for his trip, in the Warehouse at Gloucester Town
Ordered that Mr. James Hunter furnish Lieut. Dabon Loftighan with such necessaries as he may be in want of for the use of the Sloop Scorpion.
The foregoing entries are truly copied from the Journal of the Navy Board - Page 149.
Dr
Capt.
1781
March 13. To Doct: Lee, advanced for your board } Sterl:? in France } 7. 19. 3
To United States p: you by Doct: Lee } in Fr: 2274. 15 equal to }
The foregoing entry is truly copied from William Armistead's Ledger No: 3 - page 68.
All the foregoing entries are truly extracted from Books now in this Office
Given under my hand at the Auditor's Office Richmond this 29 th day of August 1838.
A.W. Morton clk And absent

Goffigan
6n

To the Executive of Virginia
As the attorney in fact for Thomas H. Goffigan only heir at law of Laban Goffigan dec d who was a Lieutenant in the Virginia State Navy during the war of the Revolution - I ask the Executive for the usual allowance of Bounty Land. The evidence herewith filed shews a service from the 2 nd Jany 1777 to the close of the war in 1783 - Therefore I hope the allowance will be made from 2 nd Jany 1777 to the end of the war.
James Murdaugh Attorney in fact for Tho s H. Goffigan. June 4 th 1857.
Thursday 2 nd January 1777.
Present
Mr s Whiting, Mr s Travers & Mr s Archer
Lieutenant Laban Goffigan, at present the commanding officer on Board the Sloop Scorpion , received orders to proceed with his vessel to Fredericksburg and apply to Mr r James Hunter jr. of Fredericksburg for a quantity of goods belonging to the public which he is to take on Board, and bring to Queen's Creek and wait on the Board for further instructions. And it is also Ordered that he land what Wood and Water he may have at present on Board his vessel more than sufficient for this Trip in the Warehouse at Gloucester Town.
Ordered that Mr r James Hunter furnish Lieut. Laban Goffigan with such necessaries as he may be

in want of for the use of the Hoop Scorpion . —
From page 1419.
Saturday 18 th January 1777.
Letters written to Mr. James Hunter and Lieut. Laban Goffigan.
From page 159.
The above are truly copied from the Naval Journal.
Given under my hand at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this 9 th day of May 1857.
Ro Johnston
First Auditor
Virginia: at a Court held for Norfolk County the 19 th day of May 1857.
Ordered, that it has been made to appear to the Court by satisfactory evidence that Laban Goffigan now dec'd, was a Lieutenant in the State Navy of Virginia during the War of the Revolution, that the said Laban Goffigan was taken prisoner and carried to the Island of Bermuda where he was closely confined a prisoner until the end of the war. The Court further certifies that the said Laban Goffigan died intestate in the month of January in the year 1795 in the County of Norfolk leaving four children all of whom died without having married and without issue and intestate, except his son Henry Goffigan, and that the said Henry Goffigan son of the said Laban Goffigan died intestate leaving an only child named Thomas H. Goffigan who is now living and resides in the

County of James City. And the Court further certifies that the said Thomas H. Goffigan is the same person who qualified as administrator on the estate of the said Laban Goffigan dec'd in Norfolk County Court on the 18 th day of March 1858 and that the said Thomas H. Goffigan is the only heir and distributee of the said Lieutenant Laban Goffigan dec'd as aforesaid.
Copy
Teste Arthur Emmerson C.C.
State of Virginia
Elizabeth City County, to wit:
The affidavit of Ann Payne taken before me, Fayette Jones, a Justice of the peace in and for the said County, on the 26 th day of May in the year 1857. — Ann Payne, a resident of Elizabeth City County, in the State of Virginia being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith, that she knew one Laban Goffigan who was a Lieutenant in the Virginia State Navy, during the war of the Revolution; — That in the year 1781, the said Laban Goffigan sailed in one of the cruises belonging to said Navy for the French West Indies after provisions, — and that in the same year, the said vessel was captured by a British Cruiser and carried into one of the British Islands, where the said Goffigan (as she understood) was thrown into prison and closely confined until the termination of the war in 1783. The deponent further saith: That after the return of the said Laban Goffigan from the place of his imprisonment as aforesaid he removed (she does not know where) but the deponent cannot state the period

of his death. Given under my hand this 26 th day of May in the year 1857.
Witness Thomas C. Peek
Ann her X Payne mark
State of Virginia.
Elizabeth City County, to wit:
I, Fayette Jones, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Elizabeth City, do hereby certify, that Ann Payne personally appeared before me in the County aforesaid, and in my presence made her mark to the foregoing affidavit - and made oath that the facts therein contained are true; - and I moreover certify that she is a lady of respectability, and her testimony is worthy of credit. Given under my hand and seal this 20 th day of May, in the year 1857.
Fayette Jones J.P.
State of Virginia
Elizabeth City County } to wit:
I Samuel S. Howard, Clerk of the County Court for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Fayette Jones is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified; that he is legally qualified to act as such and that his signature hereinbefore written is genuine.
Seal
Given under my hand and seal of said County Court this 26 th day of May A.D. 1857.
S. S. Howard clk.

Executive Department Richmond Va June 20 th 1857.
I hereby certify that the foregoing are true copies of papers filed in this department.
Wm H Richmond Secy Comt
Evidence upon which the allowed bounty paid to H Nathan Goffigan State Navy

Laban Goffigan Lt Navy
Claim for commutation
Power of atty: from admr to James Murchough
Rec d 24 Sept 1852

Whereas I, Thomas H. Goffigan administrator of Saban Goffigan deceased who was a Lieutenant in the Virginia State Navy during the War of the Revolution, employed Isaac Allendough to prosecute the claim for Half Pay or Commutation Pay, and whereas the said Isaac Allendough has recovered the said Half Pay, and the Government of the United States has declined for the present making the Commutation Pay, and will not make Commutation Pay until after the next Congress. Now know all men by these presents, That I, the said Thomas H. Goffigan administrator of Saban Goffigan deceased who was a Lieutenant in the Virginia State Navy during the War of the Revolution do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint the said Isaac Allendough of the Town of Portsmouth, county of Norfolk and State of Virginia, my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name as administrator as aforesaid to ask, demand and receive of and from the Government of the United States, or any officer of the said Government who is or may be appointed for that purpose, the Commutation Pay and interest thereon which is or may be due for the services of the said Saban Goffigan as a Lieutenant in the Virginia State Navy during the War of the Revolution under the Act of Congress of the 5 th day of July 1832, or under any Act or resolution of the Congress of the United States which may hereafter be passed. Full power and authority is hereby vested in my said Attorney to do and perform every thing in the premises in as full and ample a manner as I could do if I were personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all and whatsoever my said Attorney shall do in the premises by virtue hereof. Witness my hand and seal this 23 rd day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. And I, the said Thomas H. Goffigan administrator of the said Lieutenant Saban Goffigan deceased do hereby covenant, promise and agree to allow the said Isaac Allendough one third part of the amount of money which

he may receive as aforesaid, as a compensation for his trouble and expenses in the prosecution and recovery of the said Commutation Pay and interest thereon, or five years full Pay and interest thereon, and for the payment of which this power of Attorney shall be a lien and shall be irrevocable. Witness my hand and seal this 23 rd day of July 1851.
TH Goffigan adm r of Saban Goffigan dec d
State of Virginia
Norfolk County to wit
This day Thomas H. Goffigan administrator of Saban Goffigan deceased personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed. Given under my hand and seal this 23 rd day of July in the year 1851.
State of Virginia.
Richard W Baugh J.P.
Norfolk County to wit:
I Arthur Emmerson Clerk of the County Court of Norfolk County in the State of Virginia aforesaid do hereby certify that Richard W Baugh J.P. who has given the preceding certificate was at the date thereof a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified and that the signature thereto is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of the said Court this 22 nd day of September 1852 in the 77 th year of the Commonwealth.
Arthur Emmerson Clerk

No. 3134
ACT OF FEBRUARY 14, 1871.
WAR OF 1812.
3134 Heirs of Laban Goffinger
Va Navy Revolutionary
Discharged _____, 18_____
4081
Admitted
N.Y. Pay _____ Act '32
Received _____, 187_____
Attorney.
54

Laban Goffigan Lt Va State Navy
Claim for commutation
act 5 July 1832
James Murdaugh Atto:

10 May 1853
John Wilson Com d Land Office
Enquiring whether Laban Goffigan rec d half-pay under act 5 July 1832
Lt. to John Wilson 16 May/53

General Land Office May 10 th 1853
Sir
Will you please inform the office whether under the Act of July 5, 1832, half pay has been granted to the representatives of Laban Goffigan, a Lieutenant in Virginia Navy.
If the application was rejected, will you briefly state the reason.
Very Respectfully Your obedt servt John M c Lean Commissioner
L. Waldo Esqr Comm r of Pensions

Portsmouth. Va
Sept: 22 nd 1852
James E Heath Esq:
Comr. of Pensions -
Dear Sir: - Inclosed you will find a Power of Attorney from the legal representative of Laban Goffigan decd. who was a Lieutenant in the Virginia State Navy, authorizing me to receive the commutation and interest due for the services of the said Lieut. Goffigan. I therefore ask for the allowance of this claim, and for evidence of the justice of this claim, I deem it only necessary to refer you to the papers on file in your office, where half pay was allowed, which of course will have to be deducted from the amount paid. I shall, by the same mail which carries you this, write to V. Ellis Esq: to aid me in the prosecution of this claim, you will therefore permit him to examine the papers, and do anything else that he may deem necessary for a proper prosecution and just allowance of this claim.
Respectfully
Yours &c.
James Mendenough

Laban Goffinger No. State Navy. Act 5 July 1857.

Penryn Office July 5 th 1857.
I certify that I have examined the claim of the Administrator of Lieutenant Laban Goffigan, under the Act of 5 th July 1832, and find that he served as a Lieutenant in the State Navy of Virginia, in the Revolutionary War until the end of said War, and that he was entitled to half pay from the 22 nd April 1783, when the War ended, and to the 1 st day of January 1795, about which time he died, at the rate of one hundred and eighty two Dollars and fifty cents per annum, and that the amount due is payable to James Murdaugh, Attorney in fact of the Administrator Thomas H. Goffigan.
J. E. Heath Camer
Approved
Secretary.

20 June 1857
Wm H Richardson
Secy Va.
emolument Land Bounties profits in Goffigan's case
Halifax application

Executive Department June 20 th 1857.
Dear Sir
You are in error as to the decision of the Executive upon the claim of Saban Goffigan's heirs to land bounty. I cannot find that any allowance of land has been made to them. The claim was before the Executive in 1840, and was then rejected; and about a fortnight ago the old papers, with some new evidence, was again brought before the Executive by Jas Murdaugh Esq. of Portsmouth. No decision has yet been made upon this last application. It is presumed that you only wanted the copies on the supposition that the allowance had been made; by the way but as they may possibly be of service, I conclude to send copies of the papers in their present state, without waiting to hear farther from you.
Respy & Truly Yours
Jas E. Heath Esq. Comm. Pensions
Wm H Richardson Secy Com.